Like the rest of Seattle, the Lake City neighborhood is gradually transforming itself — in ways both good and bad. Local bloggers (and blog readers) document these changes and give voice to Seattle's northern outpost.

African Cultures Celebrated in Lake City

On Saturday, April 4 the North Seattle Family Center hosted it’s Fifth Annual Celebration of African Cultures. Over 350 children and families attended the event, and over $2,795 was raised from cash and in-kind donations from the community.

As one of the only festivals in Seattle that highlights the African way of life, Celebration of African Cultures featured home-cooked food and music from Gambia, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Libya, Eritea, Somalia, Sierra Leon, and the Congo. Gambian drummers and an all-male masked dance performance group, Udoka Cultural Dance of Nigeria, entertained guests. Additionally, special guest Mayor Nickels spoke to the crowd on the uniqueness of the event and the outpouring of community support that made a Celebration of African Cultures possible. The event was free to the public.

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Additionally, community tables were set-up by local organizations offering information on African countries as well as local resources available to the community, the Southern Sudanese Community of WA, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch program, Literacy Source, North Seattle Community College, Central Area Motivational Program (CAMP), Seattle Public Libraries Lake City Branch, The Center for Career Alternatives, North Public Health, Solid Ground.

The North Seattle Family Center (NSFC) is a multi-service family support program located in the culturally vibrant neighborhood of North Seattle. NSFC works with the community in securing needed services and support. NSFC is operated by Children’s Home Society of Washington, the largest statewide children’s organization dedicated to providing exceptional and innovative services to children and families.